Barnard baffled by Taunton's behaviour

WILLAND Rovers assistant manager Andy Barnard admits he is baffled as to why Taunton Town are signing so many players from Silver Street.

Pacey striker Khaled Badavi, 20, is the fifth Willand player to move to the Somerset club in the last three months following Ben Mammola, Rob Norrish, Dave Hambly and Dean Stamp, who has since returned.

And Barnard admitted his bafflement as to why Taunton continued to raid Silver Street for talent.

"When a club loses four of its players to the same club and then they come in for a fifth, we just do not understand it," he said.

"It is like us going and signing five players from Cullompton all at the same time.

"I personally thought it might be just a touch too soon for him. I just think he should have stayed at Western League level a season or two longer.

"I think Khaled still has a bit to learn. We just do not understand it though – it is like Willand Rovers is feeding Taunton at the moment."

Clive Jones' men head into Saturday's game at Cadbury Heath came after a 0-0 draw at home to Barnstaple Town on Tuesday night, meaning their record of having never beaten Barum at home in the Western League remains intact.

Barnard also felt a costly miss from Kai Fisher was the turning point as Bitton came from behind to win at Silver Street 2-1 on Saturday.

The hosts made a dream start, taking the lead after just 15 seconds as Danny Baily converted James Ansell's cross without the opposition touching the ball..

Fisher then headed against the bar on 50 minutes, and the visitors soon levelled through Daine O'Connor.

Joe Dakwa's deflected strike in the final minute secured the win for the visitors.